PSG Stuns Real Madrid in Club World Cup Semi-Final with a Decisive 4-0 Victory
Paris Saint-Germain delivered a stunning performance, defeating Real Madrid 4-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ semi-final. The match, held on July 9, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, saw PSG dominate from the early minutes, securing their place in the final against Chelsea.
Early Goals Define the Match
PSG wasted no time asserting their dominance. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring in the 6th minute, followed quickly by Ousmane Dembélé in the 9th minute. Ruiz added his second in the 24th minute, putting PSG ahead 3-0 within the first quarter of the game. Gonçalo Ramos sealed the victory with a fourth goal in the 87th minute.
PSG Advances to Face Chelsea in the Final
The commanding win propels PSG into the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ final. They are set to face Chelsea on July 13, 2025, at MetLife Stadium. The final promises to be a thrilling contest between two of Europe's top teams.
PSG's Impressive Season Continues
PSG's victory over Real Madrid is part of an impressive run of form. The team has won ten of their last 11 fixtures across all competitions. Their defense has been particularly strong, keeping seven clean sheets in their last eight competitive games. Earlier in the tournament, PSG showcased their attacking prowess with a 4-0 win against Atlético de Madrid and a 2-0 victory over Bayern München.
Real Madrid Suffers First Defeat Under Xabi Alonso
The loss to PSG marked the first defeat for Real Madrid under coach Xabi Alonso. The team appeared sluggish and unbalanced, especially in defense. Prior to this match, Real Madrid had been unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Modric's Farewell Match
Adding to the significance of the game, the match was veteran midfielder Luka Modric's final appearance for Real Madrid.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025™: A New Era in Global Club Football
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ is a newly expanded tournament featuring 32 teams. It aims to establish itself as a premier global club competition, bringing together top teams from around the world.
Team Over Individual: PSG's Cohesive Strategy
As the reigning European champions, PSG, under the guidance of coach Luis Enrique, have showcased a highly coordinated and dominant playing style. The team prioritizes collective effort over individual stars. Key players in the semi-final victory included Fabian Ruiz, Ousmane Dembélé, and Gonçalo Ramos.
Real Madrid's Integration Challenges
Real Madrid, a club known for its 15 European Cup titles, is currently coached by Xabi Alonso. The team is working to integrate new players, including Kylian Mbappé, into their system. However, the match against PSG exposed some imbalances within the squad.
Coaches' Reactions: Luis Enrique Pleased, Xabi Alonso Determined to Improve
Luis Enrique, the PSG coach, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly given the challenging heat conditions. He highlighted the team's strong season and their determination to make history. Xabi Alonso, the Real Madrid coach, acknowledged the impact of the early goals on the game. He stated that there is "a lot of work to do" for his team to reach PSG's level.
Players' Perspectives: PSG's Confidence vs. Real Madrid's Resolve
Fabian Ruiz, the PSG midfielder, expressed his happiness at contributing two goals to the team's victory. He emphasized PSG's "special season" and their determination for the final. Thibaut Courtois, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, admitted the result was disappointing but stressed the need to keep working hard and learn from the defeat. Militao, the Real Madrid defender, conceded that PSG are "already well-coordinated" and a strong team.
Real Madrid's "Humiliating" Defeat Sparks Controversy and Concern
The 4-0 loss was widely described as a "hammering," "bludgeoning," and "humiliation" for Real Madrid by various media outlets, triggering widespread debate among fans and pundits.
Defensive Errors Under Scrutiny
Real Madrid's central defenders, Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio, faced heavy criticism from fans and pundits for individual errors that directly contributed to PSG's early goals. Some fans even called for their transfer.
Squad Imbalance: A Persistent Problem for Real Madrid?
Pundits suggested that the defeat highlighted a "long-lasting imbalance" in Real Madrid's roster. The team's struggle to find defensive stability and effectively integrate their attacking talent was a key point of discussion.
Mbappé's Struggles Against Former Club
Kylian Mbappé, making his first start against his former club, struggled to make a significant impact. This performance contributed to the narrative that PSG, without him, might be a more cohesive unit. There are also ongoing reports of Mbappé suing PSG for "moral harassment" related to his departure from the club in 2024.
A Potentially Trophyless Season for Real Madrid
The loss means Real Madrid is facing the prospect of their first trophyless season in four years. This intensifies the scrutiny on Xabi Alonso's early tenure as coach and the team's overall direction.
